Only God can truly know what is inside a person's heart, but Pastor Shane Idleman from Westside Christian Fellowship sought to answer the difficult question of whether a Christian can really lose their salvation.
"A common question for many is, 'Can I lose my salvation?' The reason there is a debate is because the Scriptures teach that salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned, but they also offer warnings about falling away," he wrote in his article for The Christian Post.
Idleman added that there should be a healthy tension between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility, and this should not cause any division of spirit, elitism, or theological superiority.
He shared a story from the Bible when a man thought that "my master delays His coming," so he decided to turn away from a godly life. When his master returned unexpectedly, he was banished because the servant chose to do what he thought was right.
People have responsibilities, stressed Idleman, and they should never turn their backs on what they know to be right.
"Jesus encouraged His followers to be watchful, prepared, and ready for His return. Are we watchful? Are we prepared? Are we ready?" he questioned. "Read Matthew 24:45-51; Luke 21:34. The Scriptures offer a healthy tension between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility."
Idleman also considered that some people never fully surrendered to Christ, and that is why they fell away. The pastor reasoned that these people cannot lose their salvation simply because they never had it in the first place.
Others might claim to know God, but then later deny Him with their lifestyle. "Nothing can separate us from God, but we should never ignore the strong warnings about turning from Him," he said.
Idleman said that people must work on their own salvation, and be faithful to God's call to preach, witness, and proclaim His word.
"Those who believe you can lose your salvation should not chide those who believe in eternal security - 'once saved always saved' is by no means a license to sin - it's a belief in God's guarantee," he explained. "But on the flip side, those who embrace eternal security should not mock those who disagree."
